Older 5 or New E90

Hi everyone. Just wanted to see if you guys help me decide. This is the situation, I have about 6 months left on a lease of a 2003 530i. The specs are: 2003 530i, it has only 11k miles, sports suspension, automatic, actually every option except for nav. The payoff will be $28,500.

Should I:
1. Keep the 5, either re-finance or just buy it.
2. Sell the 5 and get a new 330.

what would you guys do in my situation.

Thanks

How much do you like your 5? I just recently sold my '01 325Ci and bought an '03 530i and as much as I'll have new car envy with an e90 I don't think I'd want to touch one for at least a few years given the issues I had with the steering retrofit and not being able to use certain bits of other tech on the 3 - not saying this will happen but the general rule of thumb is wait a couple of years on any major redesign so they can work out the kinks.

As far as asthetics I personally thing the e39 looks better than the e90.

As for how the e90 drives relative to the e39 or the interior space I can not speak to as I've not driven an e90 yet though I can say I am significantly happier with the ride and space in my 530i over my 325Ci.

Originally Posted by 03&04Owner

Hi everyone. Just wanted to see if you guys help me decide. This is the situation, I have about 6 months left on a lease of a 2003 530i. The specs are: 2003 530i, it has only 11k miles, sports suspension, automatic, actually every option except for nav. The payoff will be $28,500.

Should I:
1. Keep the 5, either re-finance or just buy it.
2. Sell the 5 and get a new 330.

what would you guys do in my situation.

Thanks

I also have a 2003 530i and it depends. If you do not need the interior space and want the latest bells and whistles take a look at the E90. If you buy your car out at the end of the lease your warranty will expire in 2007 assuming you bought it in 2003. With your low mileage (like me) you should not have too many headaches. Likes Scotes I would be concerned about first year teething problems, you could always buy the 530 and wait a year or two.

Two points you guys have made. First, I should make sure that I'm not just having that new car "I want it" thing, since I guess I have gotten so used to leasing for either 2 or 3 years, and second I also have a 2004 E60 (first year model), and I've had nothing but problems with that car. It is always in the BMW Service Dept, when my E39 has only gone once for the oil change and maintenance.

Honestly I love the E39 and I hate the E60, there is such a difference on the way the 2 models drive, the E39 is such a "BMW" when the E60 (to me) fells more like a "buick".

I just want to be sure that I'm making the correct decision, since as mentioned by "vexed" I would have only 1 year left in the included maintenance if I keep the E39...

Originally Posted by 03&04Owner

Two points you guys have made. First, I should make sure that I'm not just having that new car "I want it" thing, since I guess I have gotten so used to leasing for either 2 or 3 years, and second I also have a 2004 E60 (first year model), and I've had nothing but problems with that car. It is always in the BMW Service Dept, when my E39 has only gone once for the oil change and maintenance.

Honestly I love the E39 and I hate the E60, there is such a difference on the way the 2 models drive, the E39 is such a "BMW" when the E60 (to me) fells more like a "buick".

I just want to be sure that I'm making the correct decision, since as mentioned by "vexed" I would have only 1 year left in the included maintenance if I keep the E39...

I saw that you had an E60 and refrained from making any comments

I chose a used E39 over an E60--a 3 series is too small for me now. The people here who have driven an E90 rave about it but you can wait a year or two, the I-6s are not as expensive to maintain the V-8s.

OK guys, this is what I did, since I really like my E39, and I also have an E60 which I hate, really crappy car, well I got rid of the E60 and got a 2006 E90 330i Premium, Sports, Manual. All I can say about that car is WOW!!!

You guys need to test drive one!

So I will probably now keep the E39 because that car is also WOW!!!!

I will post pictures soon!!!

Thanks...

Originally Posted by 03&04Owner

OK guys, this is what I did, since I really like my E39, and I also have an E60 which I hate, really crappy car, well I got rid of the E60 and got a 2006 E90 330i Premium, Sports, Manual. All I can say about that car is WOW!!!

You guys need to test drive one!

So I will probably now keep the E39 because that car is also WOW!!!!

I will post pictures soon!!!

Thanks...

Congratulations on your excellent choice!
I've been following this post because I have a co-worker asking the same questions as you were (owns a 2002 530i), but he decided against an E60 as well and will keep his E39.

Here is a pick of my new 330i Sport @ the Hotel Uhland......
just picked it up in Munich thru E.D.:
(it'll be back here in the States in a few weeks)